The Harry C. Block Jr. Collection is a personal journey through military aviation. The collection reflects nearly every major milestone in the early days of military aviation. The collection is a result of more than 50 years of passion and persistence, one on one visits and direct correspondence with every notable individual represented in the collection. Throughout his life, Harry C. Block Jr. has crisscrossed the country to personally meet with the individuals or family of his subjects to discuss the various incidents and obtain personal items for his collection. Impressed with Mr. Block’s passion and knowledge of the history behind the subject, personal gifting of items resulted in every visit as well as subsequent correspondence.
The memorabilia ranges from signed books, letters, articles and photos to an impressive volume of insignia and rare one of a kind pieces such as Jimmy Doolittle’s throat mic from The Raid Over Tokyo, materials from Lindberg’s Spirit of St. Louis, The Hindenburg and Amelia Earhart’s journey. Legendary Generals, Fighter Aces and Pioneer Pilots make up nearly 400 individuals represented in this world class collection.
A collection so significant that both the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum as well as The United States Air Force Museum at Wright- Patterson have made their case for The Harry C. Block Jr. Collection to be permanently housed at the respective museums. In addition, Mr. Block has been contacted by individual collectors, investors and auction houses, all seeking to obtain this recognized world class collection.
At 90 years of age, Mr. Block is now ready to pass along his life’s work. The collection shall take on a new life in the hands of caretakers that can adequately preserve and value the moments, the interactions, the significance of events and, of course, the history that these actions have created.
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